Routing and the like machine



May l5, 1934. G, GORTQN 1,959,269

ROUTING AND THE LIKE MACHINE Filed Dec. 2l, 1931 y6 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 15, 1934. G .GORTON 1,959,269

ROUTING AND THE LIKE MACHINE Filed Dec. 21, 1931 e sheets-sheet 2 4 IM/wanton 10 M /Mlovb May 15, 1934. G. GoRToN ROUTING AND THE LIKE MACHINE Filed Dec. 2l, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Il f w @6 6 ,r .l 6 M 6 O 5 mw I IU A nl nnnlill :gn/vanto@ May 15, 1934. G. GoRToN ROUTING AND THE LIKE MACHINE Filed Dec. 2l. 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 15,l 1934. G. GoRroN 1,959,269

ROUTING AND THE LIKE 4NIACIIIUEF Filed Dec. 2l. 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 M 4 amm,

May l5, 1934. G. GoRToN vROUTINCr AND THE LIKE MACHINE Filed Deo. 2l, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 gru/vento@ am m -Uw ,o d Il 5 ll|l m c um a 7 l 1 3 f h/:AJL

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atto/www3 Patented May 15, 1934 11i-irriteAsrrss less-,26e i T FFICE This invention relates to certain improvements in routing and the like machines; and the nature and objects of the invention will be readily recognized and understood by those skilled in the arts involved in the light of the following explanation and detailed description of the acaccompanying drawings illustrating what I at present consider to be the preferred embodiments or mechanical expressionsl of my invention from '10 among -various other forms, arrangements, combnations and constructions of which the invention is capable within the spirit and the scope thereof.

The invention is directed to the provision of a ll design, construction and arrangement, and a not a specic sense to include all such types of machines, or similar or equivalent types. It is intended that the term routing shall be broadly interpreted in construing such term herein.

An object of the invention is the elimination '350i certain serious difculties and disadvantages encountered in routing and the like machines of those types having a fixed cutter spindle and y a main work table which is movable in straight paths longitudinally and laterally of the ma-V `Liochine across the cutter head or spindle; such as the diiiiculty arising from the interference with the accurate, eflicient operation of the mov able work table by the collection of chips, dirt and such like in the table mounting and operatin'g mechanism; and the disadvantage from the necessity for mounting an auxiliary rotary work table upon the main work table when it is desired to move the work in a circular path across the cutter spindle, the use of such aux- '50'iliary table resulting in the tendency of the cutter spindle to set up vibrations in the work table and work thereon.

A machine of my invention in carrying the foregoing object, as Well as other objects here- -inafter brought out, is characterized generally by the provision of a cutter head or cutter spindle which is' mounted'for movement, by and under the control of the operator, in rectilinear paths at right angles to each other, that is, laterally andlongitudinally of the machine in straight paths across the Work,-together with a main work table builtinto and mounted as a permanent element of the machine for rotary movement to move the work thereon in a circular path across the cutter spindle, the machine per- '65 mitting the combination with the rotary Inovement imparted to the Work by the table, of either alongitudinal or alateral movement of the cutter Vspindle across the work.

Another object of the invention is to provide for the eicient mounting of a forming guide for cooperation with an axially movable cutter spindle-in such a machine. for operating upon curved surface work, by which the full capacity of the machine within the range of lateral and longitudinal movements of the cutter spindle may be accurately and eiciently utilized.

A further objectrof lthe invention'is to provide an efficient belt drive Vfor the movable cutter spindle of a machine including the foregoing general characteristic'sfwhich drive permits of the required ease and freedom of cutter spindle movements' over the work to Venable smooth accurate operation by the operator, while maintaining the necessary uniformV tension on the drive belt.

Among further objects of the invention may be mentioned the provision of a machine of structural and mechanical efficiency, and a design and relative arrangement of operating elementstherein to provide for accessibility and ease of operation to 'enable maximum efficiency and accuracy ofk control by the operator.

With the foregoing general objects and results in view', as well as certain other objects, results and advantages which will be clearly apparent from the following explanation, the inM vention `consists in certain novel features in construction and in combinations and relative arrangements of elements, as will be more fully and particularly referred to and specified hereinafter. v

Referringto the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a View in side elevation of a routing machine of the invention, taken at the right hand side of the'machine from the front or operators side thereof.

Fig. 2 is a View of the machine of Fig. 1, in rear elevation.

Fig. 3 is a view in top plan of the rotary work table and the operating hand wheels and portions of the operating mechanism for rotating the work table and laterally and longitudinally moving the cutter spindle,` controlled by such hand wheels.

Fig. 4 is a view partly in vertical section and partly in elevation, through the work table, knee on which mounted, and portions of the cutter spindle moving mechanism, taken as on the line 4 4, of Fig. 3. v

Fig. 5 is a view in top plan of the machine of Figs. 1 and 2, with the forming guide carrying bridge or yoke and forming guide structure removed, showing the cutter spindle carrying arm and the arrangement of cutter spindle and belt drive therefor.

Fig. 6 is a view in side elevation of that portion of the machine of Fig. 1, above the rotary work table, showing the cutter spindle carrying arm and mechanism for moving the same, with the saddle and its mounting for moving the cut ter spindle longitudinally of the machine in vertical section to show the saddle operating mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but in rear elevation and with the cutter spindle moving saddle and slide mounted thereon in vertical section. Y

Figs. 8 and 9 are views in vertical axial section through the cutter spindle head and its mounting at the end of the swingable arm and in the end of the slide for moving the cutter spindle laterally of the machine, the lower portion of the cutter spindle and its mounting as shown at Fig. 9 being turned 90 with respect to Fig. 8 to show the cutter spindle feed mechanism.

I have selected by way of example and have illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings for the purpose of explaining the invention to enable those skilled in the art to comprehend the same, one form of a routing or the like machine incorporating and embodying the several features of the invention. In this illustrated example, referring now particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 5 of the drawings, the machine includes the main supporting or frame structure comprising a base 19 with the column l1 integral therewith and extending upwardly therefrom to terminatein the transversely and horizontally disposed cross head 12 extending across the front or forward side of the machine, in a direction to be hereinafter referred to as longitudinally of thegmachine.

The forward side of thecolumn 1l is formed to provide the usual V or slideway 14 upon which the forwardly extending work table carrying and supporting kneel is vertically slidably mounted and engaged. The knee 15 is vertically adjustably supported on and carried by the elevating screw 16, which is threaded at its lower end into the upper end of the hollow post 17 on base l0. The knee 15 is formed in the example hereof of a ribbed or webbed construction which provides, referring now to Fig. 4 of the drawings, a horizontally disposed web 18 into which the upper end of elevating screw 16 is freely rotatably secured and journalled and through which it extends, so that rotation of screws 16 will raise and lower the same in post 17 to elevate and lower knee l5 on column l1.

Mechanism under the control of the operator for rotating screw l16 to raise and lower knee 15 is provided, and in the example hereof includes a shaft 19 journaled in a suitable bearing 19a in the right hand side wall of knee 15 (when facing .the front of the machine), which shaft extends through bearing 19a into the knee where it carries at its inner end a bevel gear 20 meshing with a bevel gear 21 fixed on the upper end of elevating screw 16 (see Fig. 4).

The shaft 19 extends a distance outwardly beyond knee 15 and terminates in a head 19h. A sleeve 19o is rotatably mounted on shaft 19 and carries xed thereto adjacent bearing 19a, the bevel gear 22. Adjacent head 19h of shaft 19, a sleeve 19d is fixed to the shaft, and a hand wheel 23 is rotatably mounted on shaft 19 and sleeve 19d at the outer, headed end of shaft 19. The hand wheel 23 is provided with the sleeve forming hub 24 extending inwardly on shaft 19 a distance over and rotatably mo-unted on sleeve 19o, with the hand wheel 23 and hub sleeve 24 slidable inwardly and outwardly as a unit axially of shaft 19 on sleeves 19C and 19d, between gear 22 and the outer end head 19b of shaft 19. The inner adjacent ends of sleeves 19e and 19d are suitably longitudinally slotted or toothed for alternate engagement of the sleeves by the inwardly and radially extending teeth 24a within the hand wheel hub sleeve 24, when the hand wheel is slid inwardly toward and outwardly from bearing 19a on shaft 19 and sleeves 19e and 19d.

By the foregoing clutch forming mechanism, with the hand wheel 23 forced inwardly toward bearing 19a, teeth 24a engage sleeve 19o and turning of the hand wheel rotates sleeve 19o and gear 22 xed thereon, independently of and without rotating shaft 19. When hand Wheel 23 is pulled outwardly on shaft 19, sleeve 19o is disengaged and sleeve 19o which is fixed to shaft 19, is clutched, so that, turning of hand wheel 23 rotates shaft 19 independently of sleeve l9c and gear 22, and through bevel gears 20 and 21, rotates elevatingscrew 16 to raise or lower knee 15 and adjust the vertical position of the knee on the column 11.

The invention includes as a major and what may be termed a permanent, built-in cooperating element of the machine, a, horizontal work table 25, of circular form in the present example, mounted at the upper side of knee 15 for rotation thereon by the operator, around a fixed vertical axis on knee 15, and adjusted as to vertical position by raising or lowering knee 15 on column 11. The mounting of table 25 on knee 15, includes a substantially cylindrical, hollow, opentop table supporting base 26 provided at and in xed position on lthe upper side of knee 15, referring now to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings in particular, and having the centrally located ver- 4tica-lly disposed bearing sleeve or hub portion 27 extending therethrough. The upper substantially circular or annular edge 28 of base 26 forms a bearing surface or track upon which table 25 slidably rests and is supported for rotation thereon (see Fig. 4).

The circular, rotary work table 25 is formed with the axially located, depending cylindrical post or stub shaft 29, of relatively large diame ter, and the annular rib or integral ring portion 30 on the under side thereof concentric with and spaced outwardly from post or shaft 29. Table 25Y is rotatably supported on base 26 with the rib portion 30 thereof slidably engaged and bearing on the upper edge annular surface or track 28 of base 26, and with thev post o-r shaft 29 extending downwardly through and journaled in sleeve orv the lower end of shaft 29 by the screw or the like 31a, and which washer extends over theadjacent lower surface of base 26, as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

Provision is made for accurate manual rotation and control of the work table 25 by the operator of the machine, and in the example hereof, referring again to Fig. 4 of the drawings, ksuch rotation is carried o-ut through a mechanism which includes a worm wheelor ring gear 32 fixed to`V the under side of table 25 by the screws 32a, and disposed in position within base 26 spaced around and concentric with hub portion 27 and the table shaft or post 29 journaled therein. An operating shaft 33, referring to Fig. 3 in connection with Fig. 4, is suitably mounted and journaled in and extending through base 26 at the left hand side thereof from the front of the machine (Fig. 3), and mounts a worm gear 34 in mesh with the work table worm wheel 32, so that rotation of shaft 33 and worm 34 results in rotation of the table 25 on base 26 around the vertical axis formed by shaft 29 journaled in hub 27. Any suitable hand wheel 35 is mounted on the forwardly extended end of the shaft 33 at the front of the machine for turning by the operator to rotate table 25 in the desired direction.

The construction and mounting of table 25 on base 26, as a built-in permanent work table element of the machine, through the use o-f the relatively large diameter table post 29 journaled in base hub portion 27 against radial or lateral play or displacement, with the continuous supporting bearing between table rib 30 and the upper edge surface 28 of base 26 around and spaced outwardly from the table axis of rotation formed by post 29, presents a very rigid and vibration proof rotary table mounting. The mounting and the table rotating mechanism are further such as to give ease and smoothness of operator control and rotation of the work table.

The invention provides further as a feature thereof, a cutter spindle in cooperative association and combination with the rotary work table,

i, as movable over the work table in straight paths at right angles to each other, together with operator controlled mechanism for moving the cutter spindle in the desired direction. Following the mechanical adaptation of this feature of the invention to the particular machine of the instant example, the mountingfor such a movable cutter spindle includes a horizontally swingable arm A consisting of the pivotally connected and horizontally swingable links 40 and 41 (see Figs; 1, 2, and 5 of the drawings), the inner link 4G of which is pivotally connected for horizontal swinging on a vertical axis 46a (see Fig. 5) at its inner end to the bracket 42 extending forwardly from the machine column cross head 12 adjacent the left hand thereof, when racing the front of the machine. Link 41 is pivot-ally connected at its inner end to the outer end of link 4G for swinging thereon around the vertical axis 41a (see Fig. 5), and mounts and carries at its outer free end, the vertically disposed rotary cutter spindle 43.

One form and arrangement of mounting for the cutter spindle 43 on the horizontally swingable arm A is presented herewith, and embodies the formation of a vertical bore 415, referring now to Figs. 8 and 9 in particular, through the outer end of arm link 41, with a tubular casing 44 secured in the upper end of link bore 41h and extending upwardly therefrom to provide a reduced diameter continuation of the link bore.

, chine.

A spindle carrying sleeve 45 is slidably or vertically reciprocally mounted ,and received in any link bore 415 and includes a reduced diameter upper length 46 extending upwardly into and slidably received in the tubular casing 44 carried on link 41; a shoulder 45a being formed between the lower sleeve portion 45 and reduced diameter upper sleeve portion 46 which engages the lower end of casing 44 to limit upward movement of the spindle sleeve 45--46. A coiled expansion spring 109 is mounted around the sleeve 45, between an upper end head portion 45b of the sleeve and the upper end of a bushing 45e secured in the lower end of bore 415, which bushing forms a bearing for the lower end of and in which the sleeve 45 siidably lits. The spring 109 normally maintains sleeve 45--46 in the raised position of Figs. 8-9, with the cutter spindle carried by the sleeves in elevated position above work table 25.

The cutter spindle 43 is rotatably mounted in and extends axially through spindle sleeve 45-46, and is suitably held thereinV against axial movement or displacement longitudinally of the spindle sleeve. Suitable spaced lower bearings 4'7 are provided for spindle 43 within sleeve portion 45, and the upper end of sleeve portion 44 terminates in a reduced diameter portion 46a through which the upper length of spindle 43 extends. The spindle 43 is thus vertically axially movable by and with the Vertical reciprocation of spindle carrying sleeve 45--46, to raise and lower (against spring 109) the tool carrying end of the spindle from and to operative position, a suitable operator controlled feed mechanism to be hereinafter referred to and described, being provided for raising and lowering sleeve 45--46 and spindle 43.

The horizontally swingable arm A formed of pivoted links 40 and 41 carrying and mounting the vertically disposed rotary cutter spindle 43 at the end of outer arm link 41, is arranged to position spindle 43 above the rotary work table 25 of the machine (see Fig. 5), with arm A supporting lthe spindle 43 for movement longitudinally across the table, that is, across the front of the machine from side to side thereof, and for movement laterally across the table ,25, that is, from and toward the front or forward side of the ma- These movements of the cutter spindle are, in accordance with the invention, translated and carried out in straight paths at right angles to each other, longitudinally and laterally, respectively, across the rotary work table 25, and suitable mechanism is provided for selective ctuation by the operator to move the cutter spindle in either direction along a straight path across table 25 to the full work range or capacity of the table.

For obtaining the straight path longitudinal and lateral movements of the cutter spindle 43 across work table 25, a mechanism is disclosed herewith by way of an example, which includes a saddle 50, referring here to Figs. 5, 6, and '7.

of the drawings in particular, slidably mounted for movement longitudinally of the machine upon the slideways 51 provided longitudinally along the upper side of the machine column cross head 12, and the slide 52 disposed transversely ofv and across saddle 50 and slidably mounted on the upper side thereof in the slideways'53. The siide a 52 extends a distance'forwardly and rearwardly of the machine beyond saddle 50 on which it is slidably mounted, and at its forward end is fixed and connected to the casing 44 of the cutter spindle mounting ron arm A, by a collar or the i lili.

like 54 suitably clamped or otherwise secured around casing 44 adjacent the upper end thereof (see Fig. 8).

Slide 52 is thus connected to the cutter spindle mounting on arm A, and connects the spindle mounting and arm A with and to the saddle 50, so that movement of saddle 50 along slideways 51 will move the rotary cutter spindle 43 carried on swinging arm A, in a straight line or path parallel to the path of movement of saddle 50 (the cutter spindle being maintained at a fixed distance from the saddle during such movement by the slide 52) across rotary work table 25 in a direction longitudinally of the machine. Movement of the slide 52 transversely across saddle 50 on which the slide is mounted, moves the cutter spindle 43 with swinging arm A, in a straight path across the work table 25, at right angles to the path in which the spindle is moved by saddle 50, and laterally of the machine, due of course to the mounting of the slide 52 on saddle 50 with its path of movement at 90 to the path of movement of the saddle. Further, the movement of the'cutter spindle 43 in the lateral or longitu dinal paths at right angles to each other, is made possible by the arm A which carries the spindle, being jointed intermediate the cutter spindle carrying end at the pivot point 40a, by the pivotal connection 41a between the arm forming-links 40 and 41 (see Fig. 5).

The straight path or rectilinear movements of the cutter spindle 43 across the rotary work table 25 in either the lateral or the longitudinal direction, are placed under the control of and are selectively carried out by, the operator of the machine through the medium of separate actuating mechanisms for moving saddle 50 and slide 52, respectively. For example, in the specific embodiment hereof, the mechanism for moving 'saddle 50 along ways 51, includes the actuating screw 55 extending longitudinally through cross head 12 of column 11, disposed between and parallel with saddle slideways 51 below saddle 50. The cross head 12 is open at its upper side between. slideways 51 to provide a longitudinally disposed opening or slot into which a nut member 56 fixed to and depending from the under side of the base of saddle 50 extends, and the saddle actuating screw 55 is threaded through and operatively rotatably engages the fixed nut member 56, so that rotation of the screw will slide saddle 50 along slideways 51, in either direction dependent upon the direction of rotation of screw 55. (See Figs. 5, 6, and 7.) The outer end of saddle actuating screw 55 is mounted and journaled in a suitable bearing 57 carried at the right hand side or end of cross head 12, and a bevel gear 58 is xed on screw 55 adjacent bearing 57 (see Figs. 1, 5, and 7).

An outwardly extending bracket 59 is carried by and movable with the rotary work table base 26 on knee 15, at the right hand side thereof, and a rearwardly extended horizontally disposed counter shaft 60 is journaled in suitable spaced bearingsl of the bracket 59 with a bevel gear slidably through an axial bore of bevel gear and its hub 66, so that the shaft is rotatable with gear 65 but the gear is vertically slidable on the shaft. The shaft 67 extends upwardly to and is journaled in a suitable bearing 68 below and adjacent bevel gear 58 on saddle actuating screw 55, and a bevel gear 69 is fixed on the upper end of shaft 67 in mesh with the bevel gear 58 of screw 55 (see Figs. 6 and 7)'.

With the foregoing mechanism, the operator of the machine moves saddle 50 in the desired direction to move the cutter spindle 43 in a straight path across the rotary work table 25 longitudinally of the machine, by pushing hand wheel 23 inwardly to engage the same with bevel gear 22 and then turning hand wheel 23 in the proper direction. Turning hand wheel 23 rotates saddle actuating screw 55 to move the saddle through meshed bevel gears 22-62; shaft 60; meshed bevel gears 63-65; vertical shaft 67; meshed bevel gears 58-69; and the actuating screw 55. The provision of splined vertical shaft 67 keyed to and extending through bevel gear 65 permits of vertical movement of knee l5to vertically adjust rotary work table 25 without interruption to the constant operative connection of bevel gear 65 and its associated mechanism movable with table base 26, with the fixed vertical shaft 67.

'Ihe operator controlled mechanism for moving slide 52 transversely across saddle 50 to move cutter spindle 43 in a straight path across rotary table 25 laterally of the machine, in the form and arrangement of the instant example, includes the slide actuating screw 70 extending longitudinally of and disposed below slide 52 and rotatably engaged in the Vdepending nut 71 fixed to the under side of slide 52 adjacent its forward end (see Figs. 1 and 6). The actuating screw 70 extends rearwardly into the saddle 50, the body portion of the saddle being hollow in the example hereof as clearly shown in Figs. 6

and 7, and is mounted and journaled in a suitablel bearing assembly 72 (see Fig. 6) mounted within saddle 5G. The inner end of actuating screw 70 carries a bevel gear 73 xed thereon and rotatable therewith, (see Figs. 6 and 7). Fig. 7 inparticular, a bevel gear 74 has its hub portion 75 journaled in a bearing 76 mounted in an opening through an end wall of saddle 50 with the gear 74 in mesh with the slide actuating screw gear 73.

Bevel gear 74 and its hub 75 are formed with an axial bore therethrough into and throughv which a splined shaft 77 extends, this shaft being keyed to bevel gear 74 for rotation therewith while permitting the gear to slide over and along the shaft when saddle 50 is moved. Splined shaft 77` extends outwardly from bevel gear 74 to the side leg 78 of the bridge or arch member'79 mounted on cross arm 12 and extending upwardly thereover, in which leg 78 the shaft is journaled in a suitable bearing 80. A bevel gear 81 is mounted on the outer end of shaft 77 adjacent bearing 80, while the opposite end of the shaft extends outwardly through a suitableopening in the opposite end wall of saddle 50 to permit movement of the saddle over and along the shaft.

A vertical, splined shaft 82, referring now to Figs. 1, 2, and 7 in particular, is journaled in bearing 83 on bridge leg 78 adjacent but `below horizontal shaft bearing 80, and has fixed to its upper end the bevel gear 84 in mesh with bevel gear 8l of shaft 77, The bracket structure 59 Referring to v carried by knee 15 (see Figs. l, 2, 8, and 4) is formed at its outer rear end with a vertical bearing 85 in vertical axial alinement with bearing 83 on bridge leg 78 thereabove, and a bevel gear 86 is journaled and conned in this vertical bearing 85. The splined shaft 82 extends downwardly through an axial bore in bevel gear 86 and is suitably keyed thereto for rotation with and by the gear, while permitting the gear to slide vertically on the shaft in constant rotary connection therewith. Spaced, axially alined horizontal bearings 87 are provided on bracket structure 59, and a counter-shaft 88 is journaled therein, parallel to counter-shaft 60. A lbevel 'gear 89 is fixed on the outer rear end of this counter-shaft in mesh with bevel gear 86, and Va sprocket 90 is xed to counter-shaft 88 adjacent the forward bearing 87 (see Fig. 8)

An operator rotated driving shaft 91, referring here to Figs. 3 and 4 in particular, is journaled in a bearing tube or casing 92 mounted on and extending horizontally through a channel formed in rotary table base alongthe right hand side thereof when facing the front oi the machine,

shaft 91 extending rearwardly from the front of the base 26 to the rear side thereof and parallel with counter-shaft 88 mounted on bracket 59. The rear end of shaft 91 has the sprocket 93 fixed thereon in alinement with sprocket 90 of countershaft 88, and a chain 94 is engaged over and connects sprockets 90 and 93 for rotating shaft 88'from driving shaft 91. The forward end of the driving shaft 91 at front of table 25 and the machine, carries an operators hand wheel 95,

adjacent but to the right of the saddle 50 controlling hand wheel 35. (See Figs. 3 and 5).

YIn order to actuate slide 52 to move cutter spindle 43 in astraight path across the rotary work table 25 laterally of the machine, by the above described Vslide actuating mechanism, the operator standing in position at the front of and facing the machine and work table 25, rotates hand wheel 95 Vin the proper direction to result in straight path movement of the cutter spindle either forwardly or rearwardly across table 25. The rotation of the hand wheel 95, through shaft 91; chain 94 and sprockets 90 and 93; countershaft 88 and bevel gears 86-89; vertical shaft 82; bevel gears ill-84; horizontal shaft 77 and bevel gears 7Bn-74: rotates the screw 70 and actuates slide 52 on saddle 50 to move the cutter spindle 43 forwardly or rearwardly in a straight path across the rotary work table 25.

A feed mechanism, under the control of the operator, is provided for lowering and raising the rotary cutter spindle 48 in its mounting on swinging arm A, to and from operative position with respect to work table 25 and the work (not shown) secured thereon. Such feed mechanism in the spe'cincv embodiment here shown as an example, referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 6, and 7, includes a horizontal, rotary, splined shaft 96 extending transversely and forwardly through saddle 50, below slide 52 and slide actuating screw 70, to the left hand side of casing 44 of the cutter spindle mounting on swinging arm A. Shaft 96 extends axially and slidably through a bevel gear 97 iournaled in a bearing 98 formed in the rear wall of saddle 50, with the shaft suitably keyed to bevel gear 97 for rotation therewith while permitting the shaft to slide through the gear. Therforward end of shaft 96 is formed with a pinion 99, referring here to Fig. 9 of the drawings, and is suitably connected to and journaled in a bearing housing 100 clamped or otherwise secured around and fixed to casing 44 of the rotary spindle mounting on arm A. The spindle sleeve 46 is formed with suitable rack teeth 101 therein which are operatively engaged by shaft pinion 99 through a slot or opening 102 formed in casing 44, so that rotation of pinion 99 by shaft 96 will raise or lower spindle sleeve 45-46 and rotary cutter spindle 43 carried thereby.

A horizontal shaft bearing 103 (see Fig. 7) is mounted on the rear wall of saddle 50 adjacent bevel gear 97, and a horizontally disposed shaft 104 is journaled and mounted in bearing 108 held against movement axially thereof. Shaft 104 extends across the rear of the machine and is splined to slidably extend through a crank 105 pivotally mounted on the left hand (from the front of the machine) leg 78 (see Fig. 2) of the bridge 79, the crank 105 being keyed to splined shaft 104 so that vertical rocking of the crank rotates shaft 104 while permitting the shaft to slide through the crank. A bevel gear 106 is fixed on the inner end of shaft 104 in mesh with bevel gear 97 of shaft 96, so that rotation of shaft 104 by crank 105 will rotate shaft 96 to raise or lower cutter spindle 48. The shaft 104 is movable with saddle 59 as the latter is moved on ways 51, and slides in splined engagement with its actuating crank 105.

A foot treadle ,107, referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, is pivotally mounted for vertical swinging on the lower end of column 11, and is operatively connected with crank 105 by a push and pull rod 108 pivotally connected between treadle 107 and the free, end of crank 105. lThe spring 169 maintains the cutter spindle 43 in normal, elevated inoperative position above rotary work table 25, and through the above described associated mechanism also maintainsthe foot treadle 107 raised. The operator, to lower cutter spindle 43 to operative position, forces treadle 107 downwardly, which through crank 195 rotates shaft 104, and through bevel gears 97-103, shaft 96, and pinion 99 engaged with cutter spindle sleeve teeth 101, lowers the spindie sleeve and cutter spindle 48 to operative position against the spring 109. Upon release of the foot treadle 107 the spring 109 elevates and returns the cutter spindle 43 to normal raised position, and through the associated mechanism raises the treadle.

By the design and arrangement of a machine of the invention, the employment of a forming guide which will permit of operation of the cutter spindle 48 on curved surface work, over and throughout the full capacity of the machine, as defined and determined by the maximum range of cutter spindle straight path movementsover and with respect to the rotary work table, is made possible. A forming guide arrangement and mounting for carrying out thisV feature of the invention, and adapted to the particular design of the machine of the present example, is disclosed particularly in Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7 of the drawings, as mounted on and carried by the bridge 79 of the machine, to locate and position the forming guide 110, above the'cutter spindle 43 over and across rotary work table 25.

A forming guide supporting plate 111 is slidably adjustably mounted transversely on the upper side of bridge 79, by bolts 11m extending into the bridge through suitable slots 1111:- (see Figs. 6 and 7) in the plate, and extends forwardly from bridge 79 across rotary work table 25, spaced above the cutter spindle 48 and its associated supporting and actuating mechanism.

" the work and across the forming guide.

' held against rotation by the slotted, laterally exwardly extended, axial forming guide engaging cap 114 in forming guide contour following and A forming guide mounting plate 112 has the forming guide attached thereto by the countersunk screws 113 (see Fig. 6) and the plate 112 with forming guide 110 is mounted and adjustably secured to the under side of supporting plate 111 above table 25, for movement transversely of plate 111 to adjusted positions thereon, by the screws 112a extending through slots 1125 in plate 112 and threaded at their lower ends in mounting plate 112 (see Fig. 6). The forming guide 110 can be accurately adjusted and fixed in proper position, by movement of the plate 111 across the bridge 79, laterally of the machine, and movement of plate 112 with forming guide 110, across plate 111, longitudinally of the machine. To insure maximum accuracy of adjusted movement and prevent displacement, a guide rib 111e is formed on bridge 79 engaging plate 111 (see Fig. 7), and a rib 112e (see Fig. 6) is formed across the upper side of mounting plate 112 engaging plate 111.

In the particular example hereof, the upper end of the rotary cutter spindle 43 is forced to follow the contour of forming guide 110 to raise and lower the spindle as it is moved relative to Referring particularly to Fig. 8 of the drawings, a cap 114 is mounted on and secured to the upper end of spindle 43, with the spindle journaled therein by a suitable bearing 114a, and the cap tended arm 114?) thereof vertically slidably fitted over a post 115 carried on the end of a forwardly and upwardly arched bracket 116, xed to the slide 52. The cap 114 is provided with the uppin or post 117 for movement over the forming guide surface held in engagement therewith to cause the spindle 43 to raise and lower in accordance with the contour of the forming guide.

The spring 109, in this particular example, normally maintains the rotary cutter spindle 43 in elevated position, and when the machine is operated with a forming guide, such as the guide 110, the spring maintains the spindle through its engaging position, as the operator moves the cutter spindle over the work, or as the spindle and work are moved relative to each other and to and across guide 110, as will be readily understood. While a concave forming guide 110 is here shown for use with convexly curved work, it is understood, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art, that convex forming guides for concavely curved work, as well as various other forms and shapes of guides may be employed, the operation of the cutter head thereby through the described mechanism remaining the same. Of course various sizes and areas of forming guides may be utilized with the machine, but by the design of machine of the invention it is possible to use a size and area of guide to permit operation of the cutter spindle to the maximum range of its movements and capacity of the work table, as may be desired.

The machine includes a belt drive for the rotary cutter spindle 43, in which drive the desired uniform belt tension is obtained throughout and during movements of the cutter spindle over the work table 25, in the operation of the machine. For example, a suitable electric motor M is mounted, in this instance at the lower left hand and rear side of the machine column 11, on a vertically swingable bracket or support 118 pivotally mounted on and depending from a stud 118a, which bracket or support is provided with an adjustable counterbalance 1185. (See Fig. 2.) A three step cone belt pulley 119 is mounted on and driven by the motor shaft, in the usual manner. A spindle pulley 120 of the cone, three step, belt type is journaled on the upper end of the spindle casing 44 by suitable bearings 121, and is keyed to the spindle 43 for rotating the same, while permitting vertical movements of the pulley axially therethrough. (See Fig. 8.)

The drive includes an endless belt 122 mounted over and extending operatively between motor pulley 119 and spindle pulley 120, for rotating the spindle. This belt 122 is carried on and by an arrangement of idler pulleys so located and arranged on and with respect to the spindle moving elements of the machine, as to permit of the movements of the cutter spindle laterally and longitudinally of the machine while maintaining a uniform and approximately constant operative driving tension on the belt.

In the idler pulley and belt arrangement of the particular machine hereof, belt 122, referring now to Figs. 1, 2, and 5 in particular, extends upwardly from the left hand side of motor pulley 119, to a vertically disposed idler pulley 123 mounted on a bracket carried by the left hand leg 78 of bridge 79 (see Fig. 5), then inwardly to a horizontally disposed idler pulley 124 mounted on saddle 50 at the left hand side of slide 52. The rear end of slide 52 carries a horizontally disposed idler pulley 125 mounted thereon for adjustment longitudinally of slide 52 to adjust the distance between such pulley 125 and spindle pulley 120 at the forward end of slide 52. (See Fig. 5.) Belt 122 extends rearwardly from saddle 50 carried pulley 124 to slide 52 carried pulley 125, then around pulley 125 and forwardly to spindle pulley 120, p the belt extending diagonally and forwardly across slide 52 from the right hand side of pulley 125, to the left hand side of spindle pulley 120, as clearly shown by Fig. 5. After passing around spindle pulley 120, belt 122 extends rearwardly to horizontally disposed idler pulley 126 mounted on saddle 50 at the opposite side of slide 52 from pulley 124, and then outwardly from pulley 126 to the vertically disposed idler pulley 127 carried by a bracket on the right hand leg 78 of bridge 79. (See Figs. 2 and 5.) From pulley 127, belt 122 extends downwardly across the rear of the machine to and over the vertically disposed idler pulley 128 mounted on column cross head 12 (see Fig. 2), above motor pulley 119, and then downwardly to and around the motor pulley.

With the foregoing belt drive, the desired tension therein can be obtained by adjustment of slide 52 carried idler 125, and the desired spindle speed of rotation is obtained by mounting the belt in the proper belt grooves of the three step motor and spindle pulleys 119 and 120. As spindle pulley 120 is mounted at one end of slide 52 and idler pulley 125 in xed position at the opposite end of the slide, a uniform length of belt is maintained between such pulleys as slide 52 is moved in either direction across saddle 50, while the arrangement of idler pulleys 124 and 126 in fixed positions on saddle 50 at opposite sides of slide 52 guide belt 122 and maintain uniform length thereof and tension thereon, as saddle 50 is moved in either direction.

The operation of the machine embodying the principles and several features of the invention as described, is as follows. lThe operator, after clamping and securing the work (not shown) in the usual way on rotary Work table 25, takes his position in front of and facing the machine with the foot treadle 107, and operating hand Wheels 23, 35, and (see Fig. 5), all conveniently located for ready access and operation with the foot and the hands in natural uncramped positions. Hand wheel 23 is then grasped and pulled outwardly to engage shaft 19 for rotation to raise or lower knee 15 and table 25 to position the work on table 25 at the desired elevation with respect to the lower operative position of cutter spindle 43. Motor M is then'started, and with spindle 43 rotating, assuming the machine as operated without forming guide 110, the operator with his foot presses down treadle 107 and lowers the cutter spindle to operative position with the cutter carrier thereby (not shown) for engaging the work.

Then to move the cutter spindle longitudinally of the machine across table 25, hand wheel 23 is pushed inwardly to clutch bevel gear 22, and the hand Wheel is rotated to move saddle 50 and cutter spindle 43 in the desired direction in a straight path across the table 25. To move the cutter spindle laterally across the table, in whatever longitudinal position given it by saddle 50, the operator rotates hand Wheel 95 to move the slide in the desired direction on saddle 50.

If during either of the foregoing straight line movements of the cutter spindle laterally or longitudinally of the machine, it is desired to genera-te a curve on the work, the operator with his freehand, say the left hand, turns hand wheel 35 androtates the work table 25 around its fixed vertical axis, or, of course, the rotary motion of the work table can be carried out independently of the straight path movements of the cutter spindle. Further, the straight path movements of the cutter spindle can be combined by operation simultaneously to secure the resultant directionl of movement of the cutter spindle across the work table. The arrangement of mechanisms is suchv that any two of the three movements of cutter spindle and rotary table with vrespect to each other can be carried out simultaneously, or each movement performed independently of the others, thus permitting `of considerable flexibility and range of work capable to the machine.

When a forming guide, such as guide 110, is employed on the machine, the operation of the cutter spindle in the straight line paths, and the rotation of the work table, are carried out as above. However, the foo-t treadle 107 is not operated; but the controlling spring 109 of the spindle feed is permitted, in effect, to iioat the'cutter spindle and maintain theV spindle yieldingly in operative relation with the curved forming guide surface as the cutter spindle is moved over or with respect to the work table.

A machine embodying the invention is very sensitive and accurate in operation which enables the production of work of high character therewith, and the range of its capacity, particularly when utilizing a forming guide is utilized to the maximum. A considerable contribution to the accuracy and sensitiveness of the machine is the permanent, built-in rotary work table which through its mounting and arrangement reducesvibration from the cutter spindle to the work to a'minimum, andthe mounting of which further fully-protects its rotating mechanism from interference by chips or dirt. The location of the ways upon and from which the cutter spindle moving mechanisms are actuated and slide, as above the cutter spindle and work table, eliminates possibility of chips collecting thereon and interfering with the smooth, easy and accurate operation and control of the cutter spindle.

It is also evident that various changes, modifications, variations, substitutions, eliminations and additions might be resorted to, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not wish to limit lmyself in all respects to the exact and specific disclosures hereof.

What I claim, is:

1. In a routing machine, in combination, a horizontal work table mounted for rotation around a vertical axis, a vertically disposed axially movable rotary cutter spindle mounted above said rotary work table, said cutter spindle mounted and supported for movement in rectilinear paths at right angles to each other across said table throughout the full width thereof and laterally and longitudinally of the machine, operator controlled mechanism for moving said cutter spindle in the rectilinear paths across the rotary work table, and a forming guide adjustably mounted in position above and operatively associated with the upper end of said cutter spindle for controlling axial movements thereof throughout the maximum range of rectilinear movements of th'e cutter spindle over and across and for the full Width Vof said rotary work table.

2. In a routing machine, in combination, a horizontal work table mounted for rotation around a vertical axis, a. vertically disposed axially movable rotary cutter spindle mounted above said rotary work table for unobstructed movements in rectilinear paths at right angles to each other across and for the full width of said table in any direction, operator controlled means for' moving said cutter spindle along the rectilinear paths across said Work table, a supporting structure disposed at one side of said work table and cutter spindle, and a forming guide mounted from said supporting structure and disposed in position in the unobstructed space above and operatively associated with the upper end of the cutter spindle for'controlling axial movements of the spindle as 1t is moved along rectilinear paths across the table, said forming guide extending substantially across and over the table area and operatively associated with and controlling the cutter spindle throughout its full range of rectilinear movements across and throughout the width of the table in any direction.

3. in Va routing machine, in combination, a supporting frame, a horizontal work table, a horizontally swingable, jointed arm' mounted on said frame and extending' above said table, a vertically disposed rotary cutter spindle mounted in and supported by the free end of said arm above the work table, means operatively coupled and associated with said arm and cutter spindle for swinging the arm and moving and guiding the cutter spindle in rectilinear paths across the work table, and' operator controlled mechanism for actuating said spindle moving means.

4. The combination having a nxed supporting frame, in a routing machine, of a horizontal, rotary Work table, With-a jointed andho-rizontally swingable arm member pivotally mounted on said frame and extending over and above said table, avertically disposed rotary cutter spindle mounted in and supported by the free end of said arm above the table and movable in rectilinear paths at right angles to each-other over and-across said table, meansfor mounting and guiding said cutter spindle along the rectilinear paths,` embodying a saddle mounted at one side of and above the work table for movement in a straight path longitudinally of the machine, a slide mounted and movable across said saddle at right angles thereto and extending over and above said table, the rotary cutter spindle mounted in and connected to the end of said slide above said table', operator controlled mechanism for moving the slide on and across the saddle to move the arm and cutter spindle supported thereby in a rectilinear path across the table laterally of the machine, and operator controlled mechanism for moving the slide to move the cutter spindle with the saddle carried slide in a rectilinear path across the table longitudinally of the machine.

5. In a routing machine, a vertical supporting column, a knee vertically adjustably mounted on the forward side of said column, a horizontal rotary work table mounted on said knee, operator controlled means for rotating said work table, a saddle slidably mounted on saidcolumn for movement in a straight path longitudinally of the machine, a slide mounted on and movable across said saddle in a straight path at right angles to the path of movement of said saddle laterally of the machine, a jointed horizontally swingable arm pivotally supported from said column and extending over and above the rotary work table, a vertically disposed rotary cutter spindle mounted in and carried on the free end of said arm above the table, the forward end of said slide connected to said arm, operator controlled mechanism for moving said saddle to move the cutter spindle in a straight path across the work table longitudinally of the machine, and operator controlled mechanism for moving said slide to move the cutter spindle in a straight path across the table laterally of the machine.

6. In a routing machine, the combination with a saddle movable in a straight path, a slide mounted on and carried by the saddle for movement thereacross in a straight path at right j: angles to the path of movement of said saddle, a vertically disposed rotary cutter spindle mounted in an end of said slide and having a driving belt pulley thereon, of a uniform tension, endless belt drive for said spindle, embodying a -driven pulley, horizontal idler pulleys on said Vsaddle at opposite sides of said slide, a horizontal idler pulley on said slide opposite the end thereof on which the spindle is mounted, and an endless belt extending from said driven pulley -over and around one of said saddle idler pulleys lto the slide carried idler pulley, from the slide pulley across the slide to and around the spindle driving pulley, and from the spindle driving pulley over the saddle carried idler pulley opposite Vthe rst mentioned saddle pulley, and back to the driven pulley.

7. A routing machine including, a vertical supporting column, a knee vertically adjustably mounted on the forward side of said column, a horizontal work table rotatably mounted on 'said knee, operator controlled means for rotating said table, a vertically disposed rotary cutter spindle movably supported from said column above the rotary work table for lateral movements thereacross, means operatively associated Awith said cutter spindle for moving the same in straight line paths at right angles to each other across the work table, mechanism under the control of the operator for selectively actuating said spindle moving means, and a supporting structure mounted on the column to one side of and extending above the rotary work table and cutter spindle for receiving and mounting a forming guide in the laterally unobstructed space above and across the work table, for operative association with the upper end of the cutter spindle.

8. In a routing machine, a vertically disposed rotary cutter spindle mounted for radial and axial movements, a cap mounted on and over the upper end of said spindle with the spindle rotatably journaled in the cap, means maintaining the cap against rotation with the spindle while permitting axial movement of the cap and spindle, the cap provided with an upwardly extended forming guide engaging pin, and a forming guide mounted in position over and slidably engaged by said cap pin for controlling axial movements of the cutter spindle as the spindle is radially moved across the forming guide.

9. In a routing machine, a vertically disposed rotary cutter spindle mounted for radial and axial movements, a member mounted on and axially movable with the spindle with the spindlev rotatably journaled therein, means maintaining the member against rotation with the spindle while permitting axial movements of the spindle and member, a forming guide, and means carried by said member operatively engaging said forming guide for controlling axial movements of the cutter spindle as the spindle is moved radially.

10. In a routing machine, a vertical supporting column structure, a horizontal rotary Work table mounted at the forward side of said column, operator controlled means for rotating said work table, a jointed horizontally swingable arm pivotally mounted at one side of said column structure and extended over and above said table, a vertically disposed axially movable rotary cutter spindle mounted in and carried on the free end of said arm above the table, mechanism mounted on said column and operatively connected with said arm and spindle for moving the spindle in rectilinear paths at right angles to each other across the table, operator controlled means for actuating said mechanism, a supporting structure mounted on the column to one side of and extending above the rotary work table and cutter spindle, and a forming guide mounted on said supporting structure above and across the work table in operative association with the cutter spindle for controlling axial movements thereof throughout the movements of the cutter`- across the work table, and a forming guide mounted and supported in position above said work table and the cutter spindle with the spindle in operative association therewith for control of the spindle axial movements thereby throughout the ward side of said structure, 'a vertically disposed Y axially movable rotary cutter spindle mounted and supported from one side of said structure in position above said table for lateral movementsV thereacross, throughout substantially the complete area thereof, mechanism mounted on said support structure in a plane above but laterally removed from said table for actuation to move said cutter spindle laterally across the table, a connection from and operatively associating said mechanism with the cutter spindle, and a forming guide supported from said structure in position over and above said table and cutter spindle with the upper end of the cutter spindle slidably engaging said guide to control spindle axial movement as the spindle is moved laterally by said mechanism across the table.

13. In a routing machine, a vertical supporting column, a horizontal work table mounted at the forward side of said column, a jointed horizontally swingable arm pivotally mounted on said column to one side of said table and extending over and above the table, a vertically disposed rotary cutter spindle mounted in and carried on the free end of said arm above and for lateral movements over and throughout substantially the full area of said table, mechanism mounted on said column above but laterally removed from and unobstructing the space over the table for moving said arm 4 to move the cutter spindle in rectilinear paths at right angles to each other across and over the Work table, operator controlled means for actuating said mechanism, a supporting structure on said column extending over the table above said arm and cutter spindle in position adapted to receive and support a forming guide above said table of an area substantially coextensive with that of the Work table for operative association with and to control axial movements of the cutter spindle throughout movement of the spindle over the table.

14. In a routing and the like machine, in combination, a horizontal work table mounted for rotation around a vertical axis and normally xed against bodily movements laterally, a vertically disposed cutter spindle mounted in position for lateral movement in any direction over and across said table, mechanism mounted independently of said Work table and operatively associated with said cutter spindle for moving the spindle laterally over the Work table in rectilinear paths laterally and/or longitudinally of the machine and operator controlled means for selectively actuating said mechanism to move the cutter spindle along said rectilinear paths.

15. In a routing and the like machine, in combination, a Work table mounted for rotation around a normally xed vertical axis, operator controlled means for rotating said table, a vertically disposed, axially movable cutter spindle above said rotary Work table, said spindle mounted and supported for lateral movements in any direction over and across the Work table, mechanism operatively coupled with said cutter spindle for moving the spindle in straight line paths at right angles to each other across the Work table, operator controlled means for actuating said mechanism to selectively move the spindle through said straight line paths, and a forming guide above and operatively associated with the upper end of the cutter spindle for controlling axial movements thereof throughout the lateral movements imparted to the cutter spindle over and across the Work table.

v 16. In a routing and the like machine, in combinaton, a work table mounted for rotation around a normally iixed vertical axis, means for rotating said table, a vertically disposed axially movable cutter spindle above said rotary Work table, said spindle mounted and supported for lateral movements in any direction over and across the work table, mechanism operatively coupled with said cutter spindle for moving the spindle through straight line paths either longitudinally or laterally of the machine and across the work table, means for selectively actuating said mechanism to impart lateral longitudinal, or both lateral and longitudinal movements to the cutter spindle, and a forming guide above and supported independently of said cutter spindle operatively associated with the upper end of the spindle for controlling axial movements thereof throughout lateral movements of the cutter spindle over and across the Work table.

17. In a routing and the like machine, in combination, a supporting structure, a Work table mounted on said structure for rotation around a normally fixed vertical axis, operator controlled `means for rotating said table, a vertically disposed cutter spindle above said table and mounted for lateral movements in any direction over and across the table, rectilinear motion mechanism for imparting straight path movements to the cutter spindle laterally and longitudinally of the machine, said rectilinear motion mechanism operatively coupled to the cutter spindle, and means under the control of an operator for selectively actuating said rectilinear motion mechanism to move the cutter spindle across the Work table in straight paths either laterally or longitudinally of the machine.

GEORGE GORTON. 

